After missing the playoffs for the first time in 22 seasons last year with a 41-41 record, this season has brought declining attendance, disinterested players and the firing of coach Maurice Cheeks last Wednesday.

The ascension of Kevin Pritchard, Portland's director of player personnel, ushered in a youth movement with an emphasis more on development than victories.

Bulls fans, not to mention Tim Floyd, have been down that road before, which is why Wednesday's 97-84 victory at the Rose Garden was so refreshing.

The Bulls, led by Eddy Curry's 25 points and eight rebounds and Kirk Hinrich's 22 points, 19 in the second half, continued to fuel the swagger borne from an overachieving season devoid of major controversy, while Portland limped to its sixth straight loss with veterans checking out left and right. The Bulls outscored the Blazers 31-15 in the fourth.

On a day when Zach Randolph joined Nick Van Exel, Ruben Patterson and Derek Anderson on the sideline, announcing he needed season-ending right knee surgery, the Bulls were reminded how fortunate they were to keep their spirits afloat during their abysmal 0-9 start.

"I have on occasion have let the guys know I'm not happy with them, but we've been fortunate this year so far," coach Scott Skiles said before the game. "Clearly, we've had a season that has lacked problems that a lot of other teams have had. That's good. It's to the players' credit."

Veteran guard Eric Piatkowski played on several awful Clippers teams and knows what it's like to show up for work with the body on the court and the mind on the golf course.

"I've been on teams where it was so bad, I'd get up in the morning and go to shootaround or practice and I almost wanted to cry," Piatkowski said. "It makes you sick to your stomach. Every single day all you can think about is, `How many days until the end of the season?'"

The Bulls have had minor flare-ups, including Eddy Curry's mild irritation about reduced playing time that he expressed last weekend.

But even during the poor start, Skiles talked about the work ethic remaining strong and the focus staying sharp.

"Our chemistry has a lot to do with our success," Piatkowski said. "You look at the makeup of our team and everybody has great character. Look at a team like Portland and with that roster, they should be good."

Earlier this season, Portland guard Damon Stoudamire said the Bulls run the best offensive sets in the league.

"I stick by that," Stoudamire said. "Obviously, it's working."

Not to Skiles' liking early. He even inserted Frank Williams, who hadn't played since Jan. 12, in the first quarter as the Bulls got off to a sluggish start. They missed their first seven second-quarter shots and didn't score for 4 minutes 13 seconds.